There are some potential problems with having your trees that are in the
power line right-of-way pruned by your own arborist. One is that your
arborist may end up working close to the power lines, which is dangerous --
especially if they aren't properly trained, and the utilities, as well as
state industrial insurance departments, generally discourage such things.
Another consideration is that if your contractor doesn't trim your trees
near the lines to the utilities specifications, their contractors will just
trim the trees again anyway when they come through the area. At least that
is what would happen here. Some utilities may be more lax.

One bright spot -- as Alan notes, most of the utilities are training their
contractors in proper pruning practices these days, so even if they leave
the trees looking bad, at least their health is maintained.

Regards,
Roger Snipes
Spokane Wa. Zone 5, or maybe 6, depending on who you believe.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Alan Walker"
To:
Sent: Tuesday, November 16, 2004 7:48 PM
Subject: [IBC] It's Power Line tree trimming time again.


Having gone nearly a week without power after a January
ice storm a few years ago, I appreciate the need to prune trees
away from power lines. And Asplundh is all over the place this
month pruning away. They are doing a better job the last few
years than they used to do. My arborist, who is an honest to god
tree freak, landed a contract to train them in proper pruning
techniques. Yes, they still leave trees looking aesthetically
perverse, pretty much like Roger describes, but they now respect
the branch collars and such, leaving the trees with a much better
chance of thriving afterwards.
The key to keeping them from butchering your own trees is
to have it done at your own expense before they get to your
neighborhood. You don't have to do this every year; probably once
every ten years will do. That way you can choose an arborist who
is accountable to you and your tastes.

Alan Walker
http://bonsai-bci.com http://LCBSBonsai.org

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